How to Run and Auto-Restart Docker Containers on Windows 11 with PowerShell

How to Run and Auto-Restart Docker Containers on Windows 11 with PowerShell If you’ve ever needed to automatically manage multiple Docker containers—like restarting a browser instance every 10 minutes—this guide is for you. Whether you're automating Twitch stream views, testing secure browsers, or just building cool projects, here’s how to run and auto-restart Docker containers on Windows 11 using PowerShell.

This setup works especially well with headless containers like KasmVNC or tor-browser, ideal for web automation or secure browsing environments.

🔧 What You’ll Need Windows 11 with Docker Desktop installed

PowerShell (built-in on Windows)

A Docker image like kasmweb/tor-browser

A goal (like auto-reloading a Twitch clip URL every 10 minutes 😉)

📜 PowerShell Script: Auto-Restart Docker Containers Save the following code as run_kasm_containers.ps1:

powershell Copy Edit

Define port range

$portStart = 6909 $containerCount = 3

function Start-Containers { for ($i = 0; $i -lt $containerCount; $i++) { $port = $portStart + $i docker run --rm -d --shm-size=512m -p "$port:6901" -e VNC_PW=password -e LAUNCH_URL="https://www.twitch.tv/illphated/clip/CarelessClearGalagoPeteZaroll-8BbZEmLa-1UeFb4z" kasmweb/tor-browser:1.16.0 } }

while ($true) { Write-Host "Killing all Docker containers..." -ForegroundColor Red $runningContainers = docker ps -q

if ($runningContainers) {
    docker kill $runningContainers
} else {
    Write-Host "No running containers to kill." -ForegroundColor Yellow
}

Start-Sleep -Seconds 20

Write-Host "Starting all Docker containers..." -ForegroundColor Green
Start-Containers

Start-Sleep -Seconds 500

} ▶️ How to Run It Open PowerShell as Administrator

Navigate to your script folder:

powershell Copy Edit cd "C:PathToScript" Enable script execution (if needed):

powershell Copy Edit Set-ExecutionPolicy RemoteSigned -Scope CurrentUser Run the script:

powershell Copy Edit .run_kasm_containers.ps1 Boom—you're now running 3 containers, each bound to a different port, automatically restarted every 10 minutes.

🧠 Why This Is Useful 💻 Keeps your automation environment clean and fresh

🔁 Solves issues with memory bloat in long-running browser containers

🔐 Great for testing Tor, VPN, and anonymous browsing setups

📺 Useful for automating clips or URLs like Twitch streams (as seen with illphated)

📎 Bonus: Customize Your LAUNCH_URL Change the LAUNCH_URL environment variable to load any page you want inside the container:

powershell Copy Edit -e LAUNCH_URL="https://example.com" You can also customize the port range, number of instances, or even container images (chrome, firefox, etc.).

💬 Final Thoughts Whether you're experimenting with automation, testing browser environments, or building something unique—this Docker + PowerShell combo is a powerful toolset for developers and streamers alike.

And if you’re not already, come watch the chaos live on twitch.tv/illphated.

#docker #windows11 #powershell #kasm #streaming #automation #illphated #twitchautomation